Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X

said Mark Faber, gray-haired president of the Faber El

pted the challenge with a smile. "I

's closest friend, chuckled. "If anyone can get the bugs

oden building which was tightly guarded. Inside, a secret

r began, "the usual conditio

stonishment as the whole buil

d. "This isn't part of you

of cracking glass. The walls and roof were shuddering and c

t stand's breaking

d the telemetering device. Another engineer rushed toward the door to see what was hap

nd a heavy-duty chain hoist came loose from its overhe

quake!" T

ulled himself to his feet. But the next moment a third, more violent tremor rocked t

he ponderous test stand with the priceless telemeter tilting to one

too late! A falling beam caught him on the bac

. Then Tom, who had been stunned by some falli

d in horror on the wreckage env

roof, which was sagging dangerously on its supporting tr

nventor had just noticed his friend lying pinned b

nd groped his way to Bud's side. With a desperate heave, he shoved the bea

right?" Tom a

a groan. "O-oh!...

Tom added thankfully. "If that beam had landed square on yo

'em tough out in California

nce. Both boys were heartsick as they surveyed the damag

t the great San Francisco earthquake from his grandfat

protruding from under the wrec

ber!" h

e the test stand had been erected. Bud seized a slender, steel I beam and

ed. "We'd better not try to move him,"

cious. The boys found a first-aid cabinet and gave what help they could to

a telephone and call the

" Bud r

of Faber Electronics had been partially demolished by the quake. Power lines were down and an outlying storage shed

f before this happened," Bud observed with a shu

ge crevasse. "Right where w

craft which had brought them to Faber Electronics-one of Tom

m said. "Come on, Bud! Let's see

named Simkins-who was doing his best to restore order. Simkins, who had not been injured, informed them that

said. "Why not send a car? It's

d with a jerk of his thumb. The cars on the lot had been smashed into junk by bricks from a collapsing wall of one

hized. "Anyhow, we want t

utes, Tom was in charge of clearing away rubble and extricating anyone who might be trapped insi

f rescue vehicles began arriving from Harkness-fire trucks

ter scene and they hitched a ride into Harkness. The town had suffered s

was right under Faber E

where he and his father developed their many amazing inventions. Tom asked the operator to sen

d. "We heard a bulletin abou

d that we're okay," Tom said. "We'll

had named. After landing at Enterprises, the boys drove to t

w concern when she saw the boys, bruised and dishevel

the house for dinner. Phyl, a pretty, dark-haired girl, was the daughter of Mr. Swift's long-time

cases," he said. "Why, one of the

it?" he complained jokingly. "I was all set for

ad been. "I tried to assure them that you and Bud can take care of yourselves in any crisis."

was very evident. Both had the same clean-cut features and

m a delicious, hot meal. While they ate, Mr. Swift managed after some difficulty

ve," the elder inventor reported.

her's mind off the disaster, said, "Dad, tell

Tom looked

planet," Mr. S

ited. "Wow!" Bud gasped. "Mal

None of those," he replied a